16 June 2010
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NZQA Qualifications for New Zealand
Bicycle Mechanics Now Available
New Zealand now has two official New Zealand Qualifications Authority approved Bicycle
Mechanic qualifications.
1. The Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 3 (Service Technician)
2. The Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 4 (Bike Mechanic)
The two qualifications were developed by Adventure Education (AE) and the Bicycle
Industry Association of NZ (BIANZ) to provide a „trade certificate‟ equivalent for New
Zealand and to establish a national training standard, comparable to Australia and the
UK, for the bicycle mechanic trade.
Recently, the two qualifications were given the stamp of approval from the New Zealand
Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and were granted access to Students Loan & Allowances
from the Tertiary Education Commission. Adventure Education will now work with
industry to begin offering the two qualifications throughout NZ.
The journey to this point started in 2008, when the Bicycle Industry Association of New
Zealand (BIANZ) asked Adventure Education Ltd to help them create something that the
Bicycle Industry sorely needed: NZQA approved qualifications for New Zealand‟s Bicycle
Mechanics and the development of career pathways into the industry leading to qualified
bicycle mechanics.
BIANZ is the national organisation for retailers, importers and distributors, and is
involved in the raising of retail and technical standards in the cycle trade.
Adventure Education Ltd is a Private Training Establishment (PTE) registered and
accredited with the New Zealand Qualification Authority and has experience in
developing industry training and qualifications for a number of industries.
Each stakeholder in the industry has something to gain from the new qualification, in
addition to the fact that growth and development in the industry means growth for all
businesses.
For BIANZ, where their mission is to set the national standards and grow and evolve the
Bicycle Industry, this development is an essential step in that evolution.
Nigel Welch, BIANZ Executive Chairman said, "We have been working with Adventure
Education and industry experts over the last few years to develop technical standards for
these two NZQA approved qualifications. The Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics has BIANZ
endorsement. It will be our trade certificate and will help establish this specialist
occupation as a trade in its own right."
For Bicycle Wholesalers and Distributors, they have the opportunity to showcase their
brands through manufacturer requirements and input into the courses.
For Bicycle Retailers with specialist workshops, they will be able to hire Bicycle
Mechanics confident they have the qualifications, provide opportunity for existing
mechanics to gain the qualifications, and finally give their staff and business the
recognition they deserve by having the bicycle mechanic trade recognised as a trade in
its own right.
The Bicycle Mechanics themselves benefit from having their qualification recognised in
NZ and abroad, providing the evidence and record of their professional skills and
experience, and the confidence that comes with an approved NZQA qualification.
Students who successfully complete the Level 3 programme will then move on the level
4 bicycle mechanic training or be encouraged to pathway into the retail and sales sector
of a bicycle retail outlet with a specialised workshop and continue their training with their
employer and the Retail Institute.
Stephen Strawbridge, Training & Development Manager for Adventure Education Ltd
said:
“Even though this qualification is a New Zealand first, we didn‟t have to reinvent
the wheel. We spent time researching and discussing with the global leaders in
bicycle mechanic training: From the UK; Association of Cycle Traders and their
brand Cytech. From the United States; Barnett Bicycle Institute. From Australia;
Bicycle Training Australia and the Retail Cycle Traders Australia. From NZ; BIANZ
& Retail Institute and the unit standards they developed.
We ensured we included all of the core outcomes within each of the international
qualifications and incorporated those components into our qualification.
Our aim was to develop qualifications that, when required, could be recognised in
any Trans-Tasman agreement, be able to have course credit transferred to the
UK qualifications and be recognised with the USA, and have the flexibility within
our programmes of study to include the context and manufacture requirements of
the component brands offered with in NZ.”
Those trainees who have successfully completed the Modern Apprenticeship training
through the Retail Institute can have all of the NZQA credits already included in the
Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 3 transferred.
The programmes will be delivered by businesses within in the Bicycle Industry on behalf
of Adventure Education. These businesses will become accredited trainers and will be
able to provide training and assessment for the two qualifications. Auckland, Wellington
and Christchurch have been identified as the likely locations where training centres will
be established.
The level 3 & 4 qualifications were approved to offer programmes through both face to
face, full time courses with learning placements within real workplace conditions, and/or
through distance learning and block courses. (22 & 18 weeks respectively).
Adventure Education will also develop a network of Assessors within workplaces to
support those looking to complete their training through distance learning and block
course modules. The aim is to provide 70% of the training practically and 30% theory.
Student loans and allowances will be available for all eligible students.
Prospective students and businesses within the bicycle industry can visit the official
website www.BikeMechanic.co.nz to find detailed programme information and read the
extended published article for this release.
For More Information and Interview:
Russell Sinclair
Executive Director BIANZ
Email: rsinclair@retail.org.nz
NZQA Qualifications for
New Zealand Bicycle Mechanics
Are Now Available
NZQA Approved – Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 3 & 4
NZQA Qualifications for New Zealand
Bicycle Mechanics Now Available
New Zealand now has two official New Zealand Qualifications
Authority approved Bicycle Mechanic qualifications.
1. The Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 3
(Service Technician)
2. The Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 4
(Bike Mechanic)
The two qualifications were developed by Adventure Education (AE)
and the Bicycle Industry Association of NZ (BIANZ) to provide a „trade
certificate‟ equivalent for New Zealand and to establish a national
training standard, comparable to Australia and the UK, for the bicycle
mechanic trade.
Recently, the two qualifications were given the stamp of approval
from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and were
granted access to Students Loan & Allowances from the Tertiary
Education Commission. Adventure Education is now in the position
where we can work with industry to begin offering the two
qualification throughout NZ.
"We have been
working with
Adventure Education
and industry experts
over the last few
years to develop
technical standards
for these two NZQA
approved
qualifications.
The Certificate in
Bicycle Mechanics
has BIANZ
endorsement. It will
be our trade
certificate and will
help establish this
specialist occupation
as a trade in its own
right."
- Nigel Welch
Chairman
BIANZ Executive
2|Page
NZQA Approved – Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 3 & 4
What process was
followed to ensure
high quality
qualifications?
Adventure Education was
approached by BIANZ to develop
NZQA qualifications, a training
network and career pathways for
people entering the bicycle
industry leading to qualified and
experienced bicycle mechanics.
Adventure Education established a Qualification Development Committee
which had 5 representatives from BIANZ and the bicycle industry, (BIANZ
Advisory Group) an Independent Industry Expert, an Education Consultant and
the Training Manager from Adventure Education.
The Committee studied the occupations or jobs within the industry and
developed a graduate profile to match. This resulted in the development of a
Service Technician profile and a Bicycle Mechanic Profile.
Key outcomes for the skills and knowledge desired by the industry were
developed for each graduate profile and researched internationally, which
resulted in a set of new standards and qualifications being written and
approved at levels 3 & 4 of the NZ Register of Quality Assured Qualifications.
Some of the NZQA unit standards written for BIANZ (included in the Retail
Institute Modern Apprenticeship) and the new standards, were included within
the Level 3 qualification.
“We are most grateful to the Bicycle Mechanic Qualification
Development Committee for their dedication in researching the
need for a bicycle mechanic qualification through consultation with
the industry and input from the BIANZ Advisory Group.
The pathways developed give opportunities for school leavers
looking to enter our industry through to existing mechanics who
can have their skills and knowledge recongised through the two
NZQA approved qualifications.”
- Russell Sinclair
BIANZ Executive Director
3|Page
NZQA Approved – Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 3 & 4
What’s in it for Bicycle Mechanics?
Bike Mechanic graduates will benefit by having their trade skills and knowledge
recognised through NZQA qualifications and certificates endorsed by their
industry body, BIANZ, and displayed within their workplace.
What’s in it for bike retailers & specialised bike
workshops?
The qualifications will help to establish recognition of bicycle mechanics
working within retail outlets and specialised workshops as a trade and
profession in its own right.
The bicycle industry and retailers with specialised workshops will also benefit
by having qualified staff and workshops which will help increase consumer
confidence.
"With more people riding bicycles there is more demand on
workshops to meet customers‟ expectations. These NZQA
qualifications will give customers confidence in the retail bicycle
industry.”
- Mark Gibson
BIANZ Executive Member
4|Page
NZQA Approved – Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 3 & 4
What global sources were
used to put this NZ
qualification together?
Stephen Strawbridge, Training & Development
Manager for Adventure Education Ltd said “Even
though this qualification is a New Zealand first,
we didn‟t have to reinvent the wheel. We spent
time researching and discussing with the global
leaders in bicycle mechanic training; from the
UK - Association of Cycle Traders and their
brand Cytech; from the United States – Barnett
Bicycle Institute; from Australia - Bicycle
Training Australia and the Retail Cycle Traders
Australia; from NZ – BIANZ & Retail Institute
and the unit standards they developed.
We ensured we included all of the core outcomes
within each of the international qualifications
and incorporated those components into our
qualification. Our aim was to develop
qualifications that could be recognized, when required, in any Trans-Tasman
agreement, be able to have credit transferred to the UK qualifications and be
recognised with the USA and have the flexibility within our programmes of
study to include the context and manufacturer requirements of the component
brands offered with in NZ.”
What type of person should do the Level 3
programme?
The Level 3 programme suits individuals with little or no experience or those
looking to start a career in the bicycle industry.
Graduates from the Level 3 programme will be competent in the skills and
knowledge required to begin work as a Bicycle Service Technician.
The Service Technicians will be encouraged to continue training in the Level 4
Bicycle Mechanic programme, or to move into further training in the retail and
sales of bicycles within a retail outlet.
5|Page
NZQA Approved – Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 3 & 4
What type of person should do
the Level 4 programme?
The Level 4 programme suits graduates from the
Level 3 programme. Service Technicians looking to
continue their training to become a qualified
Bicycle Mechanic.
The Level 4 programme also suits people with
existing skills and knowledge and who already
have experience equivalent to the Service Technician graduate profile.
Is there a plan to qualify existing
experienced bicycle mechanics?
Yes.
For a limited time a “Qualify The Workforce” project will be facilitated
by Adventure Education and the bicycle industry, where bicycle
mechanics with a high level of experience will be invited to apply
through a process of Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) to establish
that they have gained the required skills and knowledge to be
assessed against the standards within the Level 4 Bicycle Mechanic
qualification.
After receiving their application, all applicants will be invited to move
through the APL process which will include completing a questionnaire,
producing a CV including a detailed portfolio outlining their experience.
Successful applicants will then be invited to attend a block course
where they will complete assessments to test their current skills and
knowledge.
Bicycle mechanics who successfully complete the assessment tasks set
by the assessors will be awarded the Level 4 Certificate in Bicycle
Mechanics qualification.
Some of the graduates may be invited to attend further training
become assessors for the Level 3 students involved within their own
workplaces.
"The bicycle industry
has developed very
quickly from a basic
product to a highly
technical and
sophisticated product
requiring specialist
maintenance
support. The need
for a trained qualified
cycle mechanic is
now urgent to meet
the needs of this
more sophisticated
industry."
More information about this initiative will be released to those signed up to
Adventure Education, BIANZ and Wholesaler mailing lists in the near future.
6|Page
- Russell Sinclair
BIANZ Executive
Director
NZQA Approved – Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 3 & 4
Will there be recognition
for those who have already
completed the Modern
Apprenticeship with the
Retail Institute?
Yes.
Trainees who have successfully completed the Modern Apprenticeship in Retail
(Bicycle Serving Strand), will have all NZQA credits gained transferred across
for the unit standards included in the Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 3.
It is also encouraged that those who do not wish to continue training to the
Bicycle mechanic programme will complete further retail and sales training
with their employer and the Retail Institute. All NZQA credits (Bicycle
Servicing) will be counted towards any national certificate applied for in the
future.
How will the programmes be delivered?
It is the intention of Adventure Education to engage industry businesses to
deliver programmes on behalf of Adventure Education. These business will
become accredited Trainers and will be able to provide training and
assessment towards the two qualifications.
The level 3 & 4 qualifications were approved to offer both face to face, full time
courses with learning placements within real workplace conditions and/or
through distance learning and block courses. (22 & 18 weeks respectively).
Adventure Education also plans to develop
a network of Assessors within workplaces
to support those looking to complete their
training through distance learning and
block course modules. The aim is to
provide 70% of the training practically and
30% theory.
Student loans and allowances will be
available for all eligible students.
7|Page
NZQA Approved – Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 3 & 4
A pilot, face to face, full time Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics level 3 will be
managed by Adventure Education will commence on the 19th of July 2010
followed by other Level 3 and Level 4 programmes in 2011.
Details of the two qualifications and the programme content are at our
website, www.BikeMechanic.co.nz.
"Adventure Education will engage businesses within the bicycle
industry to deliver programmes on behalf of Adventure Education.
These business will become accredited trainers and will be able to
provide training and assessment towards the two qualifications.
Sheppard Industries Ltd in Auckland will host the pilot programme
whilst Christchurch and Wellington are other likely locations where
training centres will be established."
- Stephen Strawbridge
Adventure Education Ltd
Can students work during the study period?
Students who elect to complete their training part time through distance
learning will be encouraged to seek or continue with full-time employment.
Full time, face to face students will be encouraged to seek part time
employment and/or work experience placements.
The aim is to be involved in as much real practical activity during the study
period as that on-the-job experience is a component of the course itself.
How can prospective students find out more
about these programmes?
Prospective students can visit the official website www.BikeMechanic.co.nz to
find detailed programme and study information, to sign up for the newsletter,
and to request that an application form is emailed to them.
Background:
The Bicycle Industry Association of New Zealand (BIANZ) is the national
organisation for retailers, manufacturers, importers and distributors, and is
involved in the raising of retail and technical standards in the cycle trade.
8|Page
NZQA Approved – Certificate in Bicycle Mechanics Level 3 & 4
Adventure Education Ltd is a Private Training Establishment (PTE) registered
and accredited with the New Zealand Qualification Authority and has
experience in developing industry training and qualifications for a number of
industries.
In 2008 BIANZ approached Adventure Education and asked for help to create
something that the Bicycle Industry sorely needed: NZQA approved
qualifications for New Zealand‟s Bicycle Mechanics and the development of
career pathways into the industry leading to qualified bicycle mechanics.
Media Contact:
Russell Sinclair
BIANZ Executive Director
Email: rsinclair@retail.org.nz
9|Page